A basic route today, and as always, our RV, Combestone Tor,
gave us it’s typical weather, black skies and a cool wind that promoted us to
put on an extra layer before we descended down to the fields adjacent to
Combestone Farm.
At the access gate to the field full of sheep, a distressed
young sheep looked us in the eye for help – its mother was on the other side of
the gate and it wanted to be re-united for a delayed breakfast. So, gate duly
opened, the young sheep dashed through. We were touched to see the sheep do a ‘thanks
mate’ leap, or maybe a mid-air klick of its hooves as it passed us!
From the farm we picked up the track where we passed an
amazing display of wild orchids still in bloom, concentrated in a semi-wet
patch. The track was a bit stoney rough, but at least mostly dried out from
recent hot temperatures.
We stopped for a cuppa and snack on a grassy bank over looking
Luckey Tor below and Sharp and Yar Tors in the far distant over the deep valley
where the River Dart was starting its long journey. At one point during this
stop heavy drizzle started, only to quickly stop for the sun’s return.
The track eventually took us to the Water Works and Venford
Reservoir where we picked up the gated path by the side of the water, After we
had ‘read’ all the gate warning notices / picture of dogs, that basically meant
South West Water just about tolerated dogs. I didn’t explain this to Huey!
Leaving the reservoir via a style and an improvised escape hole
in the railings (dogs only), we cut the walk slightly short to detour through
thick bracken in the general direction of Horn’s Cross. This took us to a small
steam where we had our picnics and Huey had a chance to cool down in the cool
water and to play with a tennis ball, lost on its way to Wimbledon no doubt,
but ‘served’ as a plaything whilst we ate.
By the time we reached Horn’s Cross the sun was in full heat as
we looked at the heavy calibre bullet pock marks on the Cross’s granite
surface, a reminder maybe of a different type of heat that would have been
present during 1944.
All downhill now from the Cross, and back to the cars, have
dodged a few showers, but thankfully no bullets, but a decent walk!
Charlie